Mobile Fraud Racket Busted In Chandni Chowk; Four Shopkeepers Arrested

New Delhi: The Kotwali police have taken major action against individuals allegedly cheating customers purchasing mobile phones at the Old Lajpat Rai Market in Chandni Chowk, Delhi. Police have arrested four accused in connection with four separate cases in which customers were allegedly shown expensive iPhones but given cheaper models, different handsets or counterfeit phones instead. Mobile phones linked to all four cases have been recovered and seized.

Customers Allegedly Duped After Being Shown Expensive iPhones

North District DCP Niharika Bhatt said that over the past two months, police had received several complaints and PCR calls regarding alleged fraud in the Old Lajpat Rai Market and surrounding areas.

The complainants included customers and visitors who had travelled to Delhi from different parts of the country. According to the allegations, shopkeepers would show customers expensive branded mobile phones, particularly iPhones, to gain their trust. After collecting payments in cash or online, they would allegedly hand over cheaper handsets, different models or counterfeit phones.

Taking the repeated complaints seriously, senior North District Police officials directed the Kotwali police to take strict action against those involved. A special drive was subsequently conducted in the market to identify suspicious sellers. Following investigations into the complaints, four separate FIRs were registered under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Four Cases, Four Arrests: How the Alleged Fraud Was Uncovered

According to police, the four cases involved the following allegations:

• Dev: In a case registered on September 12, Dev was accused of cheating a customer of ₹13,200.

• Sijan: Arrested in connection with a case registered on September 23, Sijan was accused of showing a customer an iPhone 17 Pro, allegedly handing over a counterfeit mobile phone and collecting ₹35,000.

• Neeraj Sharma: In a case registered on October 7, Neeraj Sharma was accused of supplying a Vivo phone instead of the iPhone 16 Pro Max promised to the customer. The payment was reportedly made through a QR code.

• Vikas: In a case registered on October 11, Vikas was accused of showing a customer an iPhone 16 but handing over a gold-coloured Vivo phone instead and collecting ₹12,000.

Police said mobile phones connected to all four cases had been recovered and seized.

Police Intensify Market Surveillance

North District Police have increased surveillance in the market and instructed beat staff to remain vigilant, respond promptly to complaints and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.

The operation, carried out under the leadership of North District DCP Niharika Bhatt, is aimed at protecting customers from fraud and restoring confidence among shoppers in the market.

Police have reiterated that complaints of cheating will be dealt with firmly and that monitoring of the market will continue.